Kupwara| Nov, 06: Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Kupwara has secured third prize for its outstanding display of natural farming products at a national-level Consultation Workshop on Natural Farming held at CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district.
The workshop witnessed participation from more than three dozen KVKs from across the country, providing a platform for showcasing innovations, sharing field-level experiences, and discussing strategies to strengthen the natural farming movement.
The award was presented by Dr. Parvinder Sheron, Director, ATARI, along with Dr. Rajesh Rana, Nodal Officer, Natural Farming, ATARI, and senior university functionaries, including the Director Research and Director Extension Education of CSK HPKV. KVK Kupwara earned the third-place distinction for its impressive exhibition of natural farming products, indigenous preparations, and farmer-oriented interventions promoting chemical-free, sustainable agriculture. The recognition highlights the unit’s ongoing efforts to advance soil health management, organic inputs, and resource conservation through targeted training and field demonstrations.
Speaking on the occasion, Head of KVK Kupwara, Dr. G. M. Bhat, expressed happiness over the achievement and described it as a matter of pride for the entire KVK team and the farming community of the district.
He said the recognition would encourage scientists and extension functionaries to further strengthen their efforts towards promoting natural farming, particularly among small and marginal farmers and communities living in remote and border areas.
Dr. Bhat emphasised that natural farming was essential for protecting soil fertility, conserving biodiversity, reducing cultivation costs and ensuring access to safe and healthy food. He also stressed the need to educate farmers about the preparation and use of indigenous natural farming inputs while discouraging the indiscriminate application of chemical fertilisers, insecticides and fungicides.
He said KVK Kupwara would continue to expand its outreach through demonstrations, capacity-building programmes, farmer-to-farmer learning and promotion of successful natural farming models across the district.
Dr. Bhat congratulated the KVK team and acknowledged the guidance and support of the university and ATARI authorities in strengthening agricultural extension activities and farmer-centric initiatives.
